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History of Hakodate
Hakodate (Japanese: 函館市; Romachi: Hakodateshi) is the largest city in Oshima Prefecture. in Hokkaido prefecture It is economically important because it is a port city. It has a population of about three hundred thousand people. Hakodate has a beautiful night view.
1. The formation of an island connected to the land settled by the Jomon people
Mount Hakodate is an island formed by volcanic eruptions in the past. over time Don Sai formed between the island and the peninsula about 3,000 years ago, forming land in a special way known as the island barrier. which has a narrow area in the middle and most of the area of the community today is located on this sandy hill. It is said that people settled on this land around 5,000 years ago. a national treasure which is a clay sculpture is still preserved in the city.
2. The Tense Battle of the Ainu Natives and Russia
The Wajin people, a powerful ethnic group of Honshu. Migrated to Hokkaido and settled at the foot of Mt. Hakodate and nearby areas around the 14th century. The Ainu people, the indigenous people of Hokkaido which is called ezo is more powerful But there were many conflicts between the Ainu people and immigrants from Honshu.
In the 17th century, Russia invaded the south. extends influence to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands Considering Russia’s sphere of influence Including land owners like the Ainu who settled in this land. Finally, it became a huge problem for the Shogun.
3. The opening of Hakodate Port and the influx of Western culture
In 1854, the Shogunate decided to sign a treaty with Admiral Perry from America to open up the country. As a result, Hakodate and Shimoda were chosen as the ports where the treaty was signed. Admiral Perry also led a fleet of ships to visit Hakodate. In which he praised this port that “The most wonderful port in the world”. Shortly after opening the country The shogunate moved the offices of the government governing Hakodate to the interior for negotiations with foreign nations and as a strategic defense point. That is Goryokaku, a western-style fortress.
After that, a trade treaty was signed. The port of Hakodate was opened as well as the ports of Yokohama and Nagasaki in 1859, and this was the starting point for trade with the West. These included America, England and France. The influx of Western culture has influenced the landscape of Hakodate.
4. Battle of Hakodate and the development of Hokkaido by the new government
In 1868, a group of separatist soldiers from the Edo shogunate used Goryokaku as their base. and declared war on the Meiji government forces Among the separating soldiers were Toshizo Hijikata, a former member of the Kyoto Shinsengumi special police group, and French Admiral Brunet. One of the military advisers of the Shogunate government. After the Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay and street clashes ended. The new government forces have won this war.
After the Battle of Hakodate The Meiji Government therefore operates Hakodate-Aomori services normally and has upgraded the port of Hakodate. by making Hakodate a vanguard for the development of Hokkaido.
5. Take the first step into a modern city
In 1879 it was opened. Hakodate Park, Japan’s first pioneering community park This park was built at Yusden’s request. British consulate staff. In 1889, Japan’s second waterworks was built and installed.
A residential area for foreigners was established in Hakodate. The foothills of Mt. Hakodate are crowded with churches. and a women’s missionary school in the Motomachi area including the district court office, police station and customs office on the Motoi-saka street, the main street (now a tramway) lined with banks and major stores.
6. Start of use of Seikang ferries and fishing grounds in the North Sea
In 1908, while the Seikan ferry (Aomori-Hakodate) ferry between Honshu and Hokkaido came into operation, Hakodate became the main route to Hokkaido. In the 1920s began fishing in the North Sea. because it is a port for fishing boats Hakodate became a prosperous port city that no one expected.
In 1933, Hakodate became Japan’s ninth largest city with a population of over 200,000. It was during this time that huge warehouses lined up along Hakodate Port. (now a department store) Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse).
7. Ongoing Great Fires and New Town Planning
Caused by strong winds at sea and water shortages. Hakodate has experienced fires on a regular basis. After the great fires of 1878 and 1879 that burned most neighborhoods at that time, The slopes at the base of Mt. Hakodate have straightened and expanded. and that area still exists until today
The fire of 1907 (Meiji 40) left about 1,000 dead and injured and burned most of the city center. Important historical places in Hakodate such as the Old Public Hall of Hakodate, the old Soma family house, the former British Consulate in Hakodate, the Motomachi Roman Catholic Church, and the Orthodox Church. Hakodate was built after the fire
In 1934 there was a huge fire. By killing more than 2,000 people, more than half of the community area was hit as well. The plan for the reconstruction of the city focuses on preventing fires by designing 55-meter long fire lines interspersed in the city. From the top of Mt. Hakodate, you can see the large green space that forms the urban landscape.
8. It thrived as a tourist town after World War II
At the end of World War II Hakodate was heavily attacked by the United States from the air. Most of the Seikan ferries were bombed and sunk. There is even a fort on Mount Hakodate. But it was unable to counter this bomb carpeting.
After the war ended Hakodate gradually developed into a tourist town. In 1958, the Hakodate Mountain Ropeway was opened. Many tourists are fascinated by the night view of the city, which is known as one of the three most beautiful night views. Beyond Naples and Hong Kong, in 1964, the Goryokaku Tower was built to complete From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the star-shaped moat surrounding Goryokaku.
In 1988, the Seikan Tunnel, known as the world’s longest undersea tunnel, opened. In March 2016, the Hokkaido Shinkansen bullet train running through an undersea tunnel was put into service. It can be reached from Tokyo in just four hours.
Source: Collection of Hakodate City Central Library
